PS 3545 
. 1638 
C5 
1917 
Copy 1 



HARLOTT 




a Higher Thought Story 



By Samuel Mansfield Wilson 



CHARLOTT 



3 

UiGilER 

TUOUGilT 

STORY 




BY 

Samuel Mansfield Wilson 



Coprrlf,'bt 1917, by Samuel XlanftielcJ Wilson 



Fress ol •' The Purk Record " 
Fnrk City. I'tah 



^i''^r.c 



X^- Si 



Zo ni>^ Sister — 
(Xccella fTDatella 



A'Ikisc s\ iiijiatliy ami daily kindness shines 
Beneath the chmd of others saddened mood 

Who saw within my weak and simple lines, 
1'lie innei' feeliii'^s, chitiieil in hniyuao'e nide 



©C1.A460347 


MAR 27 1917 


n^ 1 . 




Samuel >IanK{i<>I<l Wilxiiit 



C H A R LOT T 

A lli,iilici-Tli(.u,i;iit Story 
By 
Saiiuicl Manstlflil Wilson 



1. 

In lit'f's great aggregatf, the lininau atom 

Is good, not l)a(l; just spineless, weak or naughty; 

By looking from the right perspective at them, 

We see the victims of environment's lottery. 

AVith many strong, like "Chariott," or "Charlotte. 

Her counterjjart may not exist in life, 

But strengtii like hers among the race is i-ife. 



'J^lie slimy details of her life, so twisted, 
1 leave to you, dear readei', to infer 
.\nd visualize temptations she I'esisted, 
And many difficulties heaped u])on her. 
Whose youth was scarred by false pre-natal laws. 
And bore another's sin for love's own cause. 



( liarlott was an uncertain kind of girl, 

Who, seeming fickl(% is as true as steel. 

Her high-geared temi)erament and mental whii-1 

Appeared to always need a lialance wheel, 

A saf(4y valve, a go\ei-nor or a ke(d. 

To steer her engines and her ship of life 

In safety o'ei' the waves of liuuian strife. 

4. 

(*onnnixed with her unstable attitude, 
A kindness, closely bordering on excess; 
A love for all things noble, true and good, 
A ready tear for those in sore distress; 
A saintly faith which few or none possess. 
Which magnifies the best in every being, 
.Vnd looks on others i'anlts with exes unseeing. 



CUB R I- T T 



Ifcr striking- beauty well may ))(> coiiiiiarcd 

To radio-activity's unknown foi-cc, 

Whose li.n'ht and heat with all the world is sliM-ed 

Without snbti'actiui;' from the primal souree. 

Jt would have caused to take a downward course, 

Unnumbered suitors, had not her |iure soul 

.^spil•ed to reacli a liii;lier, nobler i;dal. 

The flawless, tru<^ contour of form and feature. 

Does not describe real beauty — it defines 

A marble statue's counterfeit of nature — 

Alt[iou.i;-ii a master chisel chipiied the lines. 

Beauty is the snow-white soul which shines 

Tlii'ou,<;'li (.'Very a,n'ent that we reco,i;nize — 

The form, the liaii-, the checks, the li])s, the eves. 



ijeauty fades, if the ])ossessoi- loses 

fVom evil caus(>, this vital, ,i;'ran<l essential. 

I'hi\'y, hate or passion's low .•diuses 

Will leave tlieii- stain on beauty's pure cr.'dentia I ; 

i^'ine cloth<\s and riches ser\-e as incidental. 

And ornament, but do not mask trom siaiit 

The li\-es of them who have not ii\-ed ariuiit. 



These recpiisites were liei-s in oxci- nmch, 
With youth and health and innocence to boot. 
Til term her perfect, it thei'e can be sncli 
Amoui;- this old earth's human .n'rime and -^oot. 
Some n'ossi]) in the town was takin.i;- root 
Because her antecedents were in doubt; 
Th( tiiith of which she had not heard about. 



The wiser ones, with "All's," and looks e.\pi-essi\-e 

( )f ill forebodiuiJ' for her destiny, 

ih'onounced her weak, impnlsi\-e and impressive, 

J'ut she had attributes they did not see 

Beneath the outward seemini;-; the de,iir<'e 

Of stren.i^-th of character, which sleepiui^- lav 

Would turn the flames of circumstance awav. 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 



10. 

Let lis (Ii,i>r('ss to t^harlott 's iiiFaiic-y — 

ima.iiiiK^ slu' as now a little i^'irl. 

With \"iolet eyes and li]»s that scciikmI tn be 

Two clierrit's, half sulnncr.ncd in li(|ni(l coi-al; 

With anbiirn hair, in thick and wavy cnrl, 

Kxemplifying trnc love nianitest — 

Th(> b<'ing's Clii-ist called to his side, and hlesi. 

11. 

riie kindly matron of the orphanan'e 

Informed her that her ])arents each had died, 

When slie was but a baby. Then her age 

Was five, and she remembers clearly how she criedi, 

Ami we forgive the matron if she lied — 

A lie sh()id<l ne\-er snjtersede a fact, 

P)nt this one was Ity circnnistances bacdced. 

12. 

<\)ncerning her the woman had no knowledge, 

E.xcept that in a basket on tiie ground. 

Nestling snugly over near the college, 

This bunch of possibilities was found. 

A passer M'as attracted Ity the sound, 

Issuing from the heljiless thing, forsaken. 

Which to the foundling's home liy him was taken. 

13. 

.\t six she was ado])ted by a i)air. 

And thus became their daughter, through the hnvs. 

Her foster father said: "I do not care 

AVhere she has come from, or whose child she was; 

1 do not deny the right of faults and flaws 

Attaints of blood, and passions fierce and wild, 

To be transferred from i)arent to child." 

14. 

"We come into the woild immaculate. 
We inherit neither vice, disease en- sins; 
'Tis after we ai'iive the mortal state, 
The false idea's deadly work begins. 
The ignorant, to find excuses, pins 
Their faith to this old bogy, in defiance 
( )f ]iliysics, medicine oi' I'ecent science. 



C H ^ R LO T T 



15. 

Twelve liai^py years have passed, since she liad eoine 

To this g'ood liusband and nnh)ving wife; 

'J'o her it was a h)ved and ha])])y home, 

I nnnnrrd ))y sorrow, pain or taiiiily strife. 

She lilk'tl a vacnnni in tlie woman's life. 

Who lavished on the child tlie love she bore 

For liim slie mnst forg-et forever more. 

Her foster mother, 1 mnst sj^'aic of her; 
Slie plays a miglity role in this small story. 
1 Vi'ill not try to snnrch hei' character, 
Or stain liei- name, with my weak oratoiy. 
T do not blame her, and I i-atlier glory 
111 he]- for yiehling- at ti-ne love's assault, 
I lad not another suffered for the fanlt. 



I'll name her "Annie," sometimes simijly ■'Ami"- 
That does not count, the effect is just the same; 
It serves the story's simple little plan, 
And someone said, "1'here's nothing in ii name." 
Her love was such an alhincreasing flame, 
Which grew by hunger and by being denied. 
And mnst lie vented, or explode insiih'. 

18. 

Its ))nre white light was burning still, for one 

Too high above her station to attain, 

Who basked in o])ulence since life begnn. 

And boasted that his great ancestral strain. 

Through generations, had not borne the stain 

Of honest labor (m their sweating brow, 

^\iid that lie would not, conld not, In-eak it now. 

He deemed it would be wrong to many her. 
While taking these false reasons to account; 
The curse of wealth had formed a barrier 
Which even the wings of love could not suinionnt. 
His mind's i)ure s]ning was |)oisoned at the fount 
By that insane, insensate, false tradition — 
His h'gacy of ini(|nity from feudal su])erstition. 



A i-llGHER THOUGHT 5T0RV 



So this considerate siiiijjlcton (l('|)art('(l, 

And gentle ^Vnnie cursed tiie liand ot fate. 

In truth, the i;irl was nearly broken-hearted; 

She loved tt)0 deeply, and had learned too hite 

That tears and love cannot eiadieate 

The super-sellish inqjotence of tlieni 

Who foUow liohl's, and sideste]) nidui-e's ]»h\n. 



Yon say there are no classes in this huid; 
"^riien i^lace a "bunch of money" in your wallet, 
(ro straight into New York and play a hand — 
Become acquainted with the m<»n who "call it;" 
Buy them champagne to tickle uj) their jtalate, 
And try to break into the u])per ten — 
Anil youi' ]'ece])tion will conx'ince you then. 

22. 

When e'er a wealthy biped choose a mate, 
Fi'om out the jjoorer, bigger, bettei' class. 
The press doth minutely elaborate 
The story of "The Prince and Country Lass," 
Though he may be an inbred and an ass; 
.Vnd she as grand as rainl)ows in a storm; 
His tinseled pals will say, "It is bad form." 

23. 

How will the manufacturer of ])rose and riiymes 
Conjure themes on which to build a ])lot, 
( )i find a motive for romance or crimes, 
in those devoutly hoped for, future times, 
When gold and all the misery it hath brought, 
Are dumiied in blaid\ ()hli\-inn to rot!' 

24. 

A. year passed slowly by, and had not l)rought 

A. word or line from him to tearful Ann. 

-Vccepting hers as just the common lot 

Of all who do I'un counter to lo\'e's ])lan. 

She soon was married to anothei- man; 

TTe said, "for better," but she knew, for "worse," 

His name is "Will," h.is ]>edigree starts next \'(M'se. 



CileiRlOTT 



•lb. 

T will not laud his name or throw boiKiut-ts, 
But say that lie was good in each respect — 
It sounds more sensible than hollow jiraise. 
While he embraced no "isni," "cult" or "sect," 
J le was a Christian, firm, secure, erect, 
I'liough he may be, irom others point of \-iew, 
A ' demagoii-nt'," "agnostic," "heretic" or "Jew." 

■li\. 

He came into tlieii' midst two years bcfoi-e, 

From whence, except "down l^just," he did not state, 

-Vnd purchased, shortly afterward, a store. 

Was tall and handsome and just twenty-eight, 

And angled tor witli matriujonial bait. 

His ])ast to all was clothed in mystei'y, 

So T will give vou his life's liistoiw 



His father was a "mollusk," wiui descried 
His wife and baby at a tender age. 
Of all the weaklings, thus so fai- re])oi-t('d, 
This kind of "jelly fish," receives the badge — 
They love the sweets of life, and shirk the wage. 
I'he law should force deserters of their wives 
To care for howling children all their lives. 

28. 

His mother's heart was bi-nkeii and she ciiose 
To sink, in order that her child might rise; 
Her unsophistication did disclose, 
No other path to her desijairing eyes. 
Fusehooled and helpless, simjjle and unwise, 
Her Christian ]jrecepts with hei- sins collide. 
And Will was five years old the day she died. 

29. 

A country merchant down in old X'ei-mont, 

Had just one only daughter to his ci-edit. 

He always had desired and felt the want 

Of sons to helj) and cheer him, and he said it 

Was not his blame, because the sons weiv "debit," 

And so to jiiece out his desire's lack. 

He seized on Will, in town, and bi-ought him back. 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY H 



JIo proved a ftithcr and a tViciid to Will, 

By ck'an c'xam])le's true piiiinsojildcs — 

Endeavoring, always kindly, to instill 

Into the boy tlic nolilo- (|nalities. 

A man of force and ]»oise, of sense and ease, 

The teaeliing's whicli seem light in youthfnl ears, 

IJctnrn re(|((Td)le(| n1 iiiatin-(M' years. 

The merchant died when Will was twenty-oiie, 

And made a wisely-foolish last request, 

"That he would wed his daughter, and Ix'come 

Joint-heir, recei\'ing his entire l)e([nest." 

The daughter loved him two times more than ))est. 

.And he loved less the more she worshipped him; 

Consenting, just to please the old man's whim. 

32. 

He stro\"e his liest to lov<' his sister-wife. 
Rut civil war was i aging in his hi-east; 
Emotional insurrection's deadly sti-ife 
Was shaking his small kingdom with unrest, 
n'he eimsummation of tliat dear i\^(|uest. 
Amalgamated duty with deception — 
lie could not mix them ami esca]>e combustion. 

33. 

"1 iiKinied >'on to ])l(^ase my dying i'ather. 

But this false tie must not ]jer])etuate; 

To cut my right hand otf 1 would natch rathei-, 

Than that the bonds lie indeteiininate," 

"I cannot love you, and 1 do not hate," 

The v.'ite i-e])lied with feeling; "Yes, 1 know 

If you feel that way, you are free to go." 

;!4. 

A lady demonstrator came one day, 

To boost a new food-tad, and aid extortion. 

She stirred in beauty Avith the food, some way, 

And serx'ed ;dluring smiles with e\-ery ]iortion. 

Made "goo goo" eyes at Will, for mere diversion — 

}fer cham))agne glances warmed him uj) inside — 

He did not know those bubbling dimples lied. 



CHciRLOTT 



3o. 

Perceiving how the "rural lobster" fell 
A prey to her trained eyes' mesmeric lash, 
She seized the opportunity to sell 
Flii-tation as a "side line" to tlic "hash"— 
It did not pay to simply make a "mash." 
She was a workini;' girl and needed cash, 
So h.^ tell in licr fisli-scinc wit'i a splash. 

lie told tlie charmer of tlie dying wish 
That he should wed the unloveddoving si)ouse. 
The sorcerer then replied unto the "fish," 
"Not time, nor your unkindliness, can douse. 
My love fii-""s (pienchloss riamc, nor limits himse 
My measureless and all-extending love — 
What shall we do? Oh, helj) us, licavcn ahovc!" 

;57. 

lie answi'i'cd h<'r: "Onr l<)\"e is so intense, 
To save a scandal you must go frt)m hence, 
Resigned by i)hiusible and false pretense. 
And live in town, in style, at my exijfu^c. 
Your beauty should be matched with oi)id('nc(', 
And it will be the safer, sanei' course. 
For each of us, awaiting the divorce." 

.'IS. 

She lived in town ami "Willie" ])aid the bills; 

jMeanwhile, his droojjing s])irits did recouj) — 

He walked on water and he ran u]) hills, 

And lived on love and dreai)is and hope and soup. 

No man is ha}>pier than the easy du])e; 

He soars in realms so near to heaviMi's border. 

That when he falls the erasli is so nmch iiarder. 

:{9. 

Casually he learned, his lady fiiend 

Was entertaining men at her apartment. 

The news brought fears and worries without end, 

xVnd jealousy, in (me complete assortment. 

He said unto himself, "If her deportment 

Proves the story not to Ije a lie, 

I'll murder lier, tliough 1 mvself slinll die." 



A HIGHER THOUGi-lT STORY 13 

40. 

To fret' his riiiiul of x'cnoiiious suspicion, 

He hired two slijjitcry sleuths to shiuhiw her. 

Among the sahirii'il canines, tlieir })osition 

Was sliji'litly h)\ver than the conuiion cnr — 

Below the lowest in the calendar. 

They bon.ii'ht the evidence with Will's mvii coin 

By photoi;'ra))hing crimes the laws enjoin. 

41. 

She lost the graft and Willie lost his mon<'y, 

And still the lesson he received was cheajj. 

He leai'iied irom that exjierience — sad and funny — 

That "As we sow, we always have to reap." 

.Vnd "will be juilged, by comjtany we Iceep. " 

The savage bumping turned him face to face 



41 



Tlieir dissolution suit was soen decided. 

On grounds of "incomjiatability." 

'^riie business was sold, and was diviiled 

Between the separat(n's, e([nally. 

And he arranged to leave inmiediately. 

Arriving in the far off middle west — 

So we'll pi'oceed, with Annie and the rest. 

4.".. 

She said to him, before their wedding day, 

In earnest, forceful terms: "Will, I do not, 

.\nd never can, love you in just the way 

The woman should with Avhoni you share your lot; 

Because, I love — she should have said, "A sot" — 

v'~''he did not, though; she simply said, "Another;" 

"I only love yoi; as 1 love a lu'othei'. " 

44. 

"I tell you now, and please do not mistake me. 

Our marriage will be only partnership; 

If, in some future time, you do forsake me. 

Or wish the lawful bonds that bind, wouhl sli]t, 

T will not hinder, and will help the grijj 

( >f galling ties to loosen; and my friend 

You will remain fore\'er, to the end." 



U CHBRLOTT 



45. 

The man replied: "Give me your sacred vow, 
That you will wed me, and you will be tiue. 
I love you dearly, and I feel, somehow, 
That you will learn to love as I love you. 
I will do more than mortal man can do 
To make you ha23py in so liigli degree, 
"^riiat you will love inc dearer far than he." 

4(i. 

Will was foolish; he had ])etter far 

Obeyed the strong impulse, and said "good-bye." 

Kidicixlons as blending snow with tar, 

'I'o even ])resume that love like hers would die. 

We learn to love? No, pardon me; tiiat's a lie; 

Love is the attune(| vibrations of tlie soul, 

.Vnd when the chord is struck, tliei'e is the gi);d. 

47. 

Do you love your husband;' Many wives 
Would answer most sincerely : . ' • I lea\ens, no ; ' ' 
We loathe them, and the sunshine of oui- li\-cs 
Ts turned to utter darkness here below." 
The feeling by pi'opin(|uity dotli grow; 
(\)nstant contact leads to eai'thly bliss. 
Or tinctures living with the ser]tent's hiss. 

4S. 

Women who endurv a life like this 

Abhor the gloi'ious tliought of niotbei'hood, 

And pray tVom out their hearts that tiiey may miss, 

Being ]iareiit to a most unwelcome brood. 

By being badlygood, and legallydewd; 

They counter ;ind oppose great natnri^'s law, 

And suifer inward fangs to gnaw and gnaw. 

49. 

Those who learn too late, they are mismated, 
Shouhl break the tie before their lives are wrecked; 
]\Iore honor lies in being separated. 
Than live together out of self-respect. 
'Twere better that the race would be unsexetl, 
.\nd from unwished posterity ex'.'inttt, 
Than indissolnlde bonds of cold conteni])t. 



>4 HIGHER THOUGHT STORY lf> 

50. 
The aucit'iit ijrecei)ts of society 
Afford to nuuTia.i^'c lint a false protection. 
Tile law, the custom, and jiropriety 
Exi)end their forces in the wnnis' direction; 
ljo\'e slundd be the law of the eh^etion 
( H heart for lu^art, when soul to sonl res))onds; 
Ami if it wa\'ers, then dissoK'e the honds. 

51. 

Man is the only animal extant, 

Wdiose l(»ve-force is not baser instinct's pi-esence. 

Love's highest office is a sacrament — 

The Idendini;- of tin' soul with mortal essence. 

A])])lied intelligently, its iridesceiise 

Would shed a clearer ray on social life. 

And to lax moral's tlu'oat, ajiply the knife. 

52. 

Charlotte came into tlu'ir household only 

Ten nutnths after their mock wedding-day. 

Annie had begun to fe<d more lonely 

With Will at home than when he was away. 

And seemed more jileased the longer he would stay. 

She visited the (n-])lian's home meanwhile, 

And chose (Charlotte for her' dim]iled smile. 

53. 

On hearing Annie had ])rocured a waif. 
The neighbor ladies all evinced dismay, 
And told each other, gravely, how unsafe 
It was for decent ]jeo))le, such as they. 
To rear a child whose very ijarents may 
Have been a leper, or a iirostitute; 
And that the cliild would surely follow suit. 

54. 

Mankind is good — or good degrees of bad — 
Being unich of many things, and some of both; 
The trials and temptations we have had, 
Prove our resistance to th<' things we loath. 
T tell you this, and would say under oath. 
That wlien ex])erience broadens out your view, 
You then will censure none for acts thev do. 



C i-l B R LO T T 



00. 

Amiie, through the years, grew thin and frail; 

A malady egregiously complex, 

A ijainless agony, a flushing pale. 

The wise old <loet(>r. Lid behind his s])(>cs. 

Knew it was the physical reflex 

Of inward battles, which were being fought 

Between des]Kiir and Ii0])e, to govern thought. 

Charlotte Idved lier niiire tlian any other, 

And told the Jjord in prayer liow she had been 

"So loving and so kind," and called her, ".Mother," 

With all sincerity the term can mean. 

The grown up child was now almost eighteen, 

And several year^ liad gladly borne the care 

Am] nursing of this patient of desi)air. 

57. 

The Docto}' said, "I)o]te \y\\\ not cui'e >'oui' ills." 
Jie wished to get the suiferiM- of! his liands; 
Was tired prescribing poison headache pills. 
And nerve destroyers, known by many brands. 
So he advised a tri]j to other lands, 
In hojjes she soon would find a ])eaceful grave, 
< )r else i)i-ocure the thing hei' heart did era^•e. 

oS. 

Will Avas not a rich man ol ri'imte; 

He owned the little business down tiie street. 

Competition had grown so acute, 

He had all he could do to make ends meet. 

The news knocked him completely off his feet; 

But summoning his c(nirage. he was brave; 

^\nd said, "She nmst go. .Vnythini;' to sa\'e." 

59. 

He was a noble soul, who would have given 
His life, for this most loveless, love-sick woman; 
His hearts Idood freely, and his lio])e of hea\'en, 
Or used all means, occult oi- su])erhuman. 
He deemed the Doctor's words an evil omen; 
It is one way the M. D.'s gently tender 
Excuse f(n' failure, and avoid surrendoi-. 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 17 

(iO. 

Will IuukUhI down a prit'i'lcss legacy — 

'llic ripened fruit of lessons learned in youth; 

lay teaehinii- Charlotte life's iihiloso])hy, 

From every an.i^ie ot the naked truth; 

And ke))t her numl's machinery running smooth, 

P.y divers aggregates ot positive thoughts, 

Avoiding deeji worn r'uts and groo\'es and slots. 

(il. 

'J'heir destination ehosen, in advance. 

The details ot the route, they did rehearse; 

Deciding, it was l)est to go to l^'rance. 

Where sunshine either eui'es or makes one worse — 

Charlotte was to aceom])any her as nurse. 

The luggage packed, the tickets bought already; 

lie k'issed them each gooddtye, with x'oice unsteady. 

(52. 

Lo\(' was nevei' made to he one-sid;'(l. 
Their jmrting kiss would make an image wee]). 
The emotions of the hushand were dixdded 
Between despair and liojje, and anguish deep; 
She, like caged wildness waking from a sleejj. 
And breathing after years true freedom's air, 
AVas eager to esca])e the barrvd des])air. 

6.-!. 

Scarcely had they stei)])ed alxiard the shi]). 

Then who ajjpeared but Annie's old time lover. 

He knew not they wer-e going on this trip. 

And said, "The reason I am going over. 

Is just for recreation and recover"; 

T have been ill of late." We may sui-mise 

The goi'uiand only ncederl exercise. 

He thus went on, "How grand it is to see you; 
How strange it seems;" And sijeculated whether 
"Luck" or "chance," or "happen-so," in lieu 
Of information, had brought them together; 
Discussed the wind, the sea, the sky, the weather, 
Eeiterating still the sentence sweet, 
"It seems a miracde that we should meet." 



18 CHSRLOTT 



65. 

Few understand tlie j>lH'n()nienon of attraction, 

Or fathom those occult and i)sychic hnvs; 

Desire throui^h will ini))eis the ft)rce to action — 

Feeling is the primary, basic, cause. 

Tliis force will ever be and always w;is 

The essence of the Universe, and we know not 

If it be (lod or spirit, soul or tluuight. 

Since this unnecessary rvW has conic l)ack 

into our narrative to take a part. 

Let him Ix' known licncclorth as merely "Jack," 

Or "Jackass," but the name is not so short. 

I beg his pardon for this ill report, 

For being rich, I ])ity him no less — 

The inheritoi of a lilight, "unearned excess." 

67. 

Their voyage o'er the calm and glassy sea 
Was like all other voyages may be, in this: 
Behind some place, where no one else could see, 
He and Annie met to love and kiss. 
And spend small whiles in most eidossal bliss. 
He had friends aboard the bounding bark. 
So their jiroceedings must be ke])t "iu ihirk." 

68. 

Do you l)lame gentle Annie, deai', for falling 

A victim to the snake's hypnotic art ? 

lie was the "nonentity" she had been calling — 

The "nothing" which had swollen within hei- heart. 

One stolen tryst with him, so sweet and short. 

Outweighed decades of living, heretofoi'e — 

Oh! Could it only last fore\'ei'more! 

69. 

Alas! Her bodv. was the thing he wanted — 
He held as naught her love's celestial flame; 
His brutalized mentality was haunted 
With lustful ghosts, which ever went and came. 
He caied not to encompass her deep shame. 
And only str-ove to keej) himself from blame, 
^\nd share with none his monev or his uiiiiie. 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 19 



70. 

Hi' told the friends aboard; "She used to wait 

On table foi my niotlier, years a^o; 

She was snch a well ,yirl, but of late 

Her former superb health is tailing slow. 

The doctor .sent her hitherward, and so 

1 wish to lend her friendship and protection, 

.Vud steer the "l)oolis" away from hei' direction." 

71. 

The ))arty disembarked in war-torn France. 
.Vnnie leased a cool, se(|uestered nook, 
Where foilage, trees and flowers did enhance 
The view which either way you wished to look — 
A little cottage by a babbling bi-ook, 
From "snooj:)ing guys," and prying eyes forsook, 
And Jiiek wrote tlie addi'ess down in a liook. 



As Charlott viewed the hawk and sparrow Hirt. 
Her heart seemed shrinking smaller in her breast; 
Their actions caused a deej) and painless hurt. 
And filled her with forebodings and unrest. 
She longed for home, out in tlie middle west, 
And wrote to Will: "My Mother dear, is well." 
P)ut Annie burned the letter; fire don't tell. 

The guilt whicli put her conscience on the rack. 
Dear Annie made a failure of concealing. 
She said to Charlott. "Isn't it dear of Jack, 
To show so much solicitude and feeling?" 
To substitute friendship for crooked (hniling 
Requires an adei)t in the art of fraud — 
Beginners lose liy being too slick-shoil. 

74. 

('(Uiscience is a touchstone li-om beyond — 

The great defendei- of the M)nl from sin; 

No being will go wrong who does respond 

To that small voice which sjjeaks to them within. 

Its audible-silent promptings drown the <lin 

Of earthly things and (lisol)eyers each 

Must suffer in jiroportidn to tlie bi-each. 



20 CH^RLOTT 



Will at home was stiiiggling with his "biz" — 
He canceled credit and [aouiisciious charsing', 
Endeavoring through that "new-old" rnse of his, 
To increase his protit's inicroscopic margin. 
The business was small, but was eniai-ging. 
And Annie's keep was less tliaii hi- had thought; 
Jack paid in ])art, at least, for mischief wiought. 
(Will did not know it, and it helped a h)t.) 

76. 

l'\ir .Jack and Annie life was liei-e complete — 

With Charlott sent away, on some ])retext. 

His visits had become moiv long and sweet. 

The months had flown so fast, they each were ve.\e(l 

False pleasures fade, like flowers, in dimpled necks. 

AVrong-doers know not what is coming next — 

M'he shadow fell, the liitter conse(|uenc<' 

( )t tn<i iimcli Inx'e and not enough sex-sense. 

77. 

I.(i\-e's lui'dieine, through all the blisstul weeks, 
Had brought her form an<l figure to ))erfection — 
The vital glow burned bright in Annie's cheeks. 
The aloes of this ti'uth now ])r()Ught reaction — 
A happy-misery, sonrly-sweet distraction. 
She gr('i\'e(l not foi' her sin: hei' soul was wrung 
By fear of thrusts from e\"ei'y \"enomed tongiu'. 

78. 

"Deal- God," she ])iaye(l, "If in me you im|tlante(l 

(,'onfinless love, which ke]jt my life inthrall 

,Vnd led by judgment, it must then be granted 

I need not ask forgiveness for my fall. 

I dill not wish to shun the thing 1 wanted; 

1 beg no mercy and 1 driidv no gall; 

1 oidy know my soid is clean, withal." 

79. 

Shudderingly she sighed: " What will Will sav? 

He has a claim on my good character." 

it was not in her heart or mind to slay 

The confidence he had re))osed in her: 

J lis trust and kindness and his faith did stir 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 21 

A hatred for her own ingratitude. 

"Uh, Heaven," she cried: "Cannot 8ome power intrude 

To hide the blame of wedlock's forteiture? 

It will (1(1 him nil hanu, and me much good." 

80. 

One eve, with tear stained eyes and visum ilouljle, 

She came to (.Uiark)tt'H bed-room door, undi'esse(_l. 

And sobbed: "Dear heart, 1 am in grievous trouble — " 

She felt that C'harlott had already guessed. 

Against the girl's warm heart she then was presse(_l, 

And Charlott was beholding manifest, 

'i'lic tear thought, tangible and unexpressed. 

81. 

The daughtei' shared her mother's every grief, 
Humoring her each fad and childish whim — 
Did all within her jjower to lend relief, 
.Assuming borrowed sorrow, black and grim; 
And loved her more, the more she hated him 
Whose money would liave bought elsewhere; but lie 
Had killed their sunshine with their (ibl(i(|uy. 

82. 

When told. Jack's face with mirth grew scarlet; 

Becoming serious, said: "I have a plan — 

Saddle this whole business on to Charlott, 

And both of you go back to your ' old man. ' 

It matters not to make of her a harlot; 

She isn't anybody, anyhow — 

Ijct's settle on the idea, here and now." 

83. 
It seems to me, whenever jjlotters plot, 
'I'hey leave their better natures on the sheh'es. 
And care not who is poisoned, stabbed or shot. 
So long as they can save their own sweet selves. 
The fiends of Hatles and all the wicked elves 
Would nauseate and sicken at the thought. 
Of branding innocence with a boi'rowed blot. 

84. 
\t his suggestion, .Vnn was sorley grieved; 
Yet ideas grow by use or by contagion 
,\nd this one when it once had been conceived, 



22 CH^RLOTT 



Jack's strong induction caused its propogation. 
His dynamo's positive pole was degradation, 
So her resistance soon was neutralized; 
< >li, could she only do as she advised. 

85. 

Jie said one evening, cold, inijx'rtinent; 

"I'll buy your silence, onlv name tlie price." 

It was the keenest shaft he could have sent. 

8he froze his tainted tender, in words of ice: 

"You beast," she cried; "It is the greater vice — 

To ask for pay for love so freely given 

Is insult, blacker than the scowl of heaven." 

86. 

Meanwhile, she wrote to Will a friendly letter. 
As self-accusing tears were gently raining. 
The letter ran: "I think I am some better. 
My strength seems steadily and slowly gaining, 
I fear you will grow tired of ray complaining. 
The Doctor tells me I am growing strong. 
And may retui'n home well, e'(>r very long." 

87. 
"The wasting malady we so much feared 
^\'ould he the sunshine of my life's eclipse 
Has lessened nmcli, and shall have disappeared 
Within another several month's ela])se. 
I do not know — the hand ot fate, perhaps, 
That led me here to find a cure, by chance, 
ITath (lone us wrong, in bringing me to France." 

88. 
.\s well for him, good man; he little knew 
The burden which she bore beneath her lieai't. 
\nd he rei)lied: "You are so bi-ave and ti'ue; 
Stay and grow strong, and 1 will do my pai-t." 
His letter lashed her like a rider's (juii't. 
The sting of guilt augments by tendered aid. 
When neither man can rightly 1)(> rejiaid. 

89. 
At home the girl had nuuiy childish beaus, 
And here the city dudes came in a car. 
Her beauty's scent had icached their sniffing nose. 



A HIGtlER THOUGHT STORY 2:i 

.\n(l tliey had lu-ard her stock was more than ]jar. 
Returning minus what they had come for, 
CUiarlott was not lioy-struck, so they found, 
And Annie did not wish theni sticking r'onnd. 

90. 

-\s the gh)aiiiing IjhnKh'd into night tiie women sat together, 

A long, hnig time in silence — neither spoke. 

Annie's thouglits were raging like foul and gusty weather; 

At length the thunder of her brainstorm broke: 

"Say Charlott, dearie, wouhln't it be a .joke, 

[f you assume the role of motherhood, 

So Will sliall not know 1 have not been good ;'" 

91. 

She clothed the ([uestion in a jocular guise 
To mask the magnitude of such deceit; 
She knew by their deep look, those azure eyes 
Would ne\'er countenance the devilish feat — 
They hated all things foul, unclean, unsweet. 
C'Ongealed with ghastliness, at length she said; 
"My Mother, deal-, we each were lietter dead." 

92. 

Tiie girl was shocked beyond her jjower to think. 

While Annie thus continued: "I will be 

An outcast from the world; this shame will sink 

Me in the putrid mire of infamy, 

And Will shall curse my name and memory. 

T do not ask you, darling dear," she lied — 

But Charlott had decide(l, calm, dry-ey(Ml. 

93. 

"My angel Mother, dear, 1 love you so. 
There's nothing I would not attempt for j'ou. 
I'll gladly shoulder all your grief and woe — 
You are my all — the little I can do 
^Vill not rejjay your love. What may ensue 
Can never harm me, and 'twill not be long; 
1 am inxnlnerable and I am strong." 

94. 

"You cannot do it; no, my dearest heart; 
rt is beyond the scojk' of woman's power; 



C i-l cJ R LO T T 



Oue word or intimation on your jjart, 
Would sink me to the dei)tliK in one short hour. 
1 'd rather meet it now, and see Heaven k)ur 
Than raise my chihl 'til he would understand. 
And have you fail, and blast me with this brand." 

95. 
"I may do anything 1 wish to do, 
By concentrating on the end in \i('W. 
To save you and the child, 1 vow to >du, 
Before High Heaven, I will ))e hrni and true. 
My love will be the power to see me thruuuli. 
The darker side I will deny, discard — 
To do acts that way, Motlier, is not hai'd." 

96. 

"Before your vahii', deai', my weakness dies: 

]\Iy impotence succundjs at love's assault. 

Your inspiration and your sacrifice 

Will change my nature, while it hides my fault, 

And if your courage or your lo\'e should iialt, 

Come and tell me plainly your desire, 

\m\ I'll release you and will face the fire." 

97. 

'" Heiiiember, .Mother, ill audther year, 

When 1 am daubed with slandei''s blackest paint, 

T shall not need your \nty or a tear. 

Because my soul and conscience bears no taint. 

J claim to be just human — not a saint; 

But humans may attain the mightiest might 

By living, doing and thinking right." 

9S. 

No [lowei- on earth can down a will like hci-s; 

It even could scale the slime on Hell's abyss. 

The blinding cfouds of circumstance dispei*s(^ 

Before the rays of mental strength like this. 

The shafts of fortu)ie break or bend or miss 

Her pierceless citadel of dynamic i)ower. 

Which grows more strong, through sacrifice, each honi-. 

99. 

"You know," replied her Mother; "certain men 
Consider young girls who have gone astrav 



A HIGHER THOUGi-iT STORY ^5 

And striving to upbuild their names again, 

As more approachable, and easier prey; 

Young widows, too, are ti'eated in this way. ' ' 

The daughter interposed: 1 long to scorch 

Tlieir Itrute jii'oix'nsities with my tongue's torch." 

10(1. 

"Besides," continued Annie; "Every town 

Has many women only partly decent; 

Wavering 'twixt extreme of up and down 

Of all conditions; it's the most unpleasant, 

When moral moons are shrinking to the crescent. 

Strong hearts alone can lise from moral breach: 

The saddest thing on earth is wojnan sinking. 

The heart-aches and the true-self's dying screech, 

They drown in nightly brawl and beastly drinking — 

A temjtorary drugged reprieve from ])ainful, tortured thiidcing. 

101. 

"I've been told of special places where these tainte(| pcopl" 

meet — 
A basement beer-joint, restaurant, licensed clean and neat, 
To serve drinks openly to those who feign they wish to eat. 
The lunch is technical jjretense to keep the law by false deceit — 
A mock-cafe, vice clearing house, a mart, a sample-room retreat, 
Where dates are iiiaih' and prices set in smothei-ed accent cold 

and sweet. 
Competition is most keen between the female indiscreet. 
Formality is cast aside, the glance inviteth to a seat, 
Where terms are stated as complete as any legal business feat. 
Perhaps she needs tlie coin to pay ivnt, apparel, bread and meat. 
Or clothe a child, whose sire denied, the (|uestioned fruit of 

passion's heat. 
She may have wed and found instead of ti'uth and love, a low 

conceit, 
And thereby lost hei- faith in man, her own life's purpose to 

defeat. 
She may be one whom some unkindncss made with i-age and 

scorn replete, 
AVho, at the crucial hour in life, knew not the snares b(Mieath 

her feet. 
Or she may be a passioii-freak, a moral-indiecile, a cheat. 
This motley throng, forgathers there, where none are friends, 

and strangers greet. 



26 CHtiRLOTT 



And no one sees or seems to care, not even the "Cop" u])on liis 

beat, 
"riieir i)resence there prochiinis tlieir ware, and keeps them off 

the chilly street. 

102. 

"Many times since Will and I were wed. 
We have discussed life's dark, unsavory si(h'. 
I will repeat to you the things he said 
A bout the mighty gulf which doth divide 
Society's two factions. It may guide 
^\nd arm you 'gainst the ruthless human tide. 
Whieli strives to sink, whdcx'er stai'ts to slide 

lo:!. 

lie said: "I've gone the route; 1 know tlie city well. 
Its good and bad; its medium, slow anil fast; 
And many of the tales which t could tell 
Would nauseate, and make you stand aghast; 
'Twere better not to know, and to liave past 
Your life in some sequesteied, (|uiet place, 
Far fi'om the hel])less victims of the I'ace." 

104. 

"No doubt you would be shocked if you but knew 

The secrets of the moral slums and sewers; 

The human froth and slime, and residue, 

Sweltering in the city's dark immures, 

A festering sore, which nothing e\-er cures — 

Advancement's handmaid, civilization's curse 

Commercialized, and growing worse and worse. 

105. 

A stranger asked me one time, "Who an* those. 
With ]jainted lips and hair all bleached and curled ;'" 
I answered him, while looking at his clothes; 
"Why, those are ladies of the underworld; 
Two soiled ones whom society has hurled 
Into the seething, human garl)age liea]). 
Where all may sow who do not wish to i-eap." 

106. 
"Why do you ask me? You nuist be unschooled 
In what the world floes not considei- nice; 
Else, I am sure, you would not ha\e been fooled 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 



( )n meeting tliey who lueicliandise in vice. 
Their faces tell yon they have paid the price 
Of someone else's fault beside their own, 
While they are serving- sentence, all alone." 

107. 

"Their eyes besjieak the settletl scorn they feel 

For moral laws, whose verdict says they must 

For one misstep, or many, bare the seal 

Of shame and ostracism most unjust. 

They seek revenge by burning np in lust 

Other beings, whom I have no doubt. 

Are worse than they, but ha\'e not been found (mt.' 

10!S. 

"They are about the only ones, 1 iind. 

Who are not hypocrites and false pretenders; 

They suffer, through the weakness of mankind. 

And ask no sym]>athy, or no defenders; 

Tlieir low exploiters are tlie worse offenders — 

Beyond redemption sunk, and still that power 

Tends to hold them down, ;nid sink them lower." 

10!). 
"Is it the hand of fate? No; circumstance 
Hath placed them where they can't do otlierwise; 
Poverty, ignorance, beauty, or love's trance, 
Plath launched them in this shameful enterprise. 
Where all may sink and none may hope to rise. 
Not years of true repentance make excuse; 
Only death obliterates the abuse." 

110. 
"Every man who feels the liuiiiini pulse. 
Must know what forces prey upon the weak; 
And still reforms and laws bring no results 
Woi-th while, and do not gain the ends they seek. 
The higher-up's might suffer — so to speak. 
If not effect — now, listen — but the cause 
Were brought within the sco])e of drastic laws." 

111. 
His sermon quoted, Annie wrote: "Dear Will, 
C'harlott, is just what — 1 need not name; 
It is a heavv blow to me, but still 



£8 C i-i ^ R LP r T 

I feel the child is really not to blame. 
She is so young', it seems an awful shame; 
But here in France the people are so lax." 

The facts, as sharji as tacks, she siiu)(ithc(l with rhetoric wax. 

111'. 

lie wrote, replying to her note : ' ' Dear wife. 
Just try and do the very best you can; 
it can't be remedied now, and such is life. 
When are you coming home.' Who is tlic msin:' 
Business is imi)roving, " thus it ran. 
He told a married man that very night ; 
The rum(n' traveled like a streak of light. 

ii;;. 

In sentences like this, "I told you so — 

"That's what they get for raising someone's kid; 

They had been warned, but it took time to show 

That she would do as other orphans did." 

The gossip slid like lightning down a skid; 

They lashed ])oor Charlott, till their tongues were .ichini; — 

'Tis sad they did not know they wei-e mistaken. 

114. 

^\-bout this time, an unacquaintance came; 
A package of sweet innocence arrives; 
Resembling less the sire than the dame; 
And mercy! How the little fellow thri\-es! 
And if the colic or the cnjuj) or hives 
Should make him howl, or cause him to l»e sick, 
To cure them I will h;n-e liim grow dhl (|i)ick. 

115. 
They fed the extra lK)ar(ler from a bottle; 
She did not dare, (I hope you understand.) 
If they put the nipple too far down his thi'ottle, 
Ide choked and ■coughed and cried to beat th- band. 
They loved to hold the bottle in their hand. 
Like women folk, they said, "He is so nice; 
We would not lose him, to axdid tlie price." 

IK). 
Charlott practised acting out the i»art, 
In order that the lie at home, seem true; 
Slie loved tlie little angel from the .■^tni-t, 



A i-IIGi-lER THOUGHT STORY 29 



And found it was not very haid to do. 

At times the mother wonhl be jealous, too; 

Denying thus her chihl to hidt- her sins 

Thi' Mother often wished that he were twins. 



Jack met a woman there in sunny h'ranee, 
Who piereed his iiij^her manhood to the core. 
The resurrection from his seliish trance 
Brouii'ht an exuV)erance of hive's own store. 
His spirit and Ins being's matrix bore 
No likelihood to what it was, erstwhile; 
I'nt new ombodit'd, by her saintly smile. 

lis. 

The girl was cultured, wealthy, pure and sweet. 
With beauty, sense, and si)irit bold and chaste; 
Their honeyed heaven of courtship was complete; 
The new-made man real joy began to taste, 
Thi'dugh love's grand incognito, he end)race<l 
A higher code of living and of thought — 
Ijove e^"en will sa\'e the sinnei" or the sot. 

119. 

A few short weeks before their wedding day. 
He sat in silent, deep and serious thought; 
A vague unrest had tilled him with dismay; 
An inwai'd voice or struggle which could not 
Be hushed or silenced now, no matter what 
The consequences were — it nuist l)e face<l. 
And either aliided by, or be craced. 

120. 

The picture of his past in Ixild relief 

Was painted so his mind's keen eye could see, 

Resembling somewhat minutely, a leaf 

Torn from the ledger of iniquity ; 

Sins and moral lapses seemed to be 

The background of a life, which on the whole. 

Showed ]jassion's mastery, without self-conti'ol. 

121. 
Before this vivid air-drawn interdiction, 
llis new acquired manliood shrank abashed; 
No sentence is so hard as self conviction; 



30 Ci-ISRLOTT 



None suffer more than they by conscience lashed. 
Were all the universe in chaos dashed, 
'J'iie effect niig-ht be compared to tlie assault 
We suffer when the soul is in revolt. 

122. 

Scarce audible, he breathed in stitfled groan, 
"Tiiank God, she knows not of the ijath 1 followed; 
May years of true uprightness not atone 
For actions dissolute and most unhallowed ? 
The (uitcasts, who in sin have deeply wallowed, 
Must kneel and kiss the garment of a saint; 
Lest all who come in contact bear the taint." 

123. 

" Her innocence and virtue by contrast, 
l-ihilai-ge and magnify the faults in me; 
My life with her wimid always be o'er cast, 
P'or fear she suffer from my oblo(|uy. 
'Twei-e better to be dead, than know that she 
Must share my body and my soul's ]ii>llutii)U, 
When I alone should make the retribution." 

124. 

"1 hate myself — my effluence is obscene; 
My cursed progenitors were human lies; 
1 wish my blood were tuinrd to gasoline, 
Which my infectious breath wouhl \aiiorize. 
Its pent exjjlosive's might to eiiipliasizi' — 
I'here with my spark of life, ignite combustion, 
And blow my soul to cinders witii concussion." 

125. 
The great decision here was made. Next day 
He told her, as the words did sear his heart; 
Affairs at home were calling him away. 
Not later than tomorrow he uuist start. 
Thus ended their acciuaintance — sweet, l»ut short — 
Her love with absence ever did increase. 
And grew more ]totent after his decease, 

126. 
She was a writer of no mean degree. 
Who could draw tears with keen and graphic pen; 
She wrote a jwem to his dear memory. 



A HIGHER niOUGHT STORY 31 

And would re-read it, o'er and o'er again, 
In lonely hours, as sorrow's benison. 
My puny lines cannot inter^^ret French, 

But tells the iiiiiiort of hei- heait's dee]) wrench. 



TEE POEM. 

127. 



"My 1o\-(mI and lost! Kacli hour has been a year, 

Since you ha\c jiasst'd the \'ale of human ken. 

I miss you more and lo\'e you far more dear 

Than I were ever caj)able of, when 

\Ve wi've togetlicr, in this earthly sphere. 

Time but augments tlie void I suffer here — 

An emptiness of life, forever growing, 

^Vhich you, (h-ar lu-ai-t, once tided to over-flowing." 

128. 

"I always feel y(Uir jaesence is so near 

That I can almost touch you; oft in dreams 

We live and love again, and I can hear 

Your deal' voice calling to me, and it seems 

That you have only been away somewhere 

^Vnd have returned. Then waking, blank despair 

Engulfs me with a loneliness so dense, 

It smothers all my life and soul and sense." 

129. 

"Did you, my lover, leave me for some breach 
Of" kindness, which you sutfered at my hands? 
*''as it for that you went beyond my reach, 
.Vnd left me darkly gro]jing, midst the sands 
Of this world's barren waste of desert lands? 
Did I unknowingly, by act or speech. 
Offend, or wound you ? T(dl me, I beseech. 
I pray you through the cosmic cipher-code. 
To answer me, from youi' unknown abode." 

IHO. 
"This self inci-imination doth o'ei'whelm 
More than the smite of them whose hearts are breaking; 
1 suffer in the su]>ei'-conscious realm 
More than in dreams, or in the hours of waking. 
False sense and uiii'ealit\- mistaking 



32 C f/ ^ R L T T 



For very tratli, or i.s it nature's way 

Of telling what I fear, and dare not say?" 

131, 

"(jLi, make my fears' denial manifest, 

For I must meet the world, with hinyli ami song; 

That fear transcends my valors' supreme test. 

Else 1 would sutfer and grow poised ami strong. 

Though interest wane, and living lost its zest, 

The journey to the end will not Iw Itmg, 

T cannot share my sorrow with the throng; 

Its sweetly sacred pangs are mine alone, 

(!od grant they have no sorrows of their own." 

132. 

Jler love and sorrow cleared lier soid of di-oss, 
And recoined her symjjathies with brighter gloss; 
She passed Gethsemane with the red cross, 
Exchano'ing saintlv service lor her loss. 



1 .jO. 

Their joui'ney home holds nothing ol' import, 

Exce])t one thing 1 wish to mention here; 

Conjectiu'ing the connnotion the report 

Was causing in the native atmosphere; 

And how their friends would act toward Cliarlott, dear. 

'I'hey knew befoie hand — why of coui'se, they knew — 

Women always know how women do. 

1 34. 

"The cruelly jiainful, deepest heai't incision 

Connected with my acting of the ]!art. 

Will come if Will shall say with cold derision, 

" I thought you were a weakling, from the start." 

I fear his wounded pride will hreak my lii-art — 

1 know his mighty faith and ti-ust in me — 

I will collapse at his contumely." 

135. 

"lie gloried, proving calumnious gossi]) wrong, 

A\'hich did ]»renominate my destined tall; 

And tau,i;iit me always to "Be strong," "Be strong;" 

Be l)rave and kind and virtuous, withal; 

And do not stoo]) to actions low and small. 



>4 HIGHER THOUGi-lT STORY 3S 

Life holds a liiglicr iiii.sjsinn licrc for you, 
And you will lose it, il you are not true." 

"Insure yuur lieiiii^'s upward trend, in natun''s e\"olutiou. 
By murdering auger, tear and hate, and envious, selfish dream- 
ing; 
Dispose of others faults and fhnvs, hy love's true absolution. 
Which sees alone the real self, behind the outward seeming. 
Apply it, daughter, dear, and know life's truest, deepest mean- 
ing. 
1 wish to prove tbiough you that all is culture of the mind — 
That as the mortal twig is bent, the tree of life's inclined." 

i;!7. 

"P'ree ycjur s])irit's ide;i-mint ot carnal, lewd alloys, 
And shun the bestial as y<ni would the adder; 
The body is the soul's reflex, the mind's true counter-])oise. 
The aggregate of thoughts in concrete matter. 
Use your ditficulties' liars with wdiich to build a ladder. 
To scale in safety oxer obstacles' o'er hanging cliff; 
.\nd sliout, "I am! 1 can! T will!" And scorn that weak word 
"If." 

"Form no habits, either good or ill; 

Use repetition only for uplift; 

Perform unpleasant tasks to train the will. 

To stem the current's force, and not to drift. 

.Mlow no fissure, crevice, seam or ritt 

To change the focus of the mind's true lens. 

Which sorts the truth from talsehood's man\" blenr,^.'" 

i:;!). 

"Can I return and meet him :' Wait! The idea just — 

Ah, ha! A new incentive arms my trust. 

It is, that while he deems me child of lu.st, 

I'm saving him a deep and savage thrust. 

The idea brings me boldness, strength and gust. 

To dare the waves of slander's highest flood, 

.Vnd some day he will know all I've with.stood." 

140. 
"lie loves my mother dearly; that alone 
lmp(ds me to the task in his liehoof; 



34 CHBRLOTT 



The cliikl and mother sm-cd, wliile I atone 

For sins, as'ainst which my spirit's armor's ])roof. 

Do I procrastinate or stand ahiof? 

T welcome and invite the sacred l(ia<l, 

Of savin.i;- others and 1 nee*! no ,i;'oaiL" 

141. 
Will scanned the track a tedious hour, looking for the train, 
With brand new "togs," a broad and jjleasant smile. 
To see that he was happy was a little more than ]»lain 
For he had lived alone a long, long while, 
lie kissed his wife, then i'harlott, in just the seltsame style 
He W(ndd h;ive done if nothing had been wrong, 
While (Miarlott's heart was beating like the hammer of a gon<i 

14-2. 
'rhen he took the baby, lie was thinking ot a manger, 
Or something else, and said quite fatherly: 
"Isn't he an athlete? Hello, you little stranger; 
I will never let you go away from me — 
Annie he is laughing: Lookee, See!" 
The effervescent youngster cooed like carbonated fizz. 
Charlott sighed away dow7i (h'cp: "1 wish tliat he were his. 

14;;. 

Society ladies of the town showed without cnuipuiietiou, 

By cold demeanor that in their icgard, 

t'harlott, dear, had dwindled away beyend extinction. 

A number of the others tried so liard 

By sweet liy))0crisy, to hide the unction, 

With which hei- shining, shielded life was scarred. 

They glazed with alabaster feelir-gs tarre<I, 

For all had i)i-e-ordaine(l lier with their t;ingni' 

Long years ago, when she was \'ery young. 

144. 
It irked them that the girl a]ii)eared so liapi)y and sei-eue, 
Imjjregnable to slights and unperturbe(l by ostracism; 
She felt they ^Vere excusable foi- ti-eating her so mean, 
By being taught in early life, by Church and catechism. 
Or fossilized and ossified and anticiuated ism. 
They did believe that the unblest by farcical baptism. 
And unoffending innocents called "Bastards" of the law. 
And they who bear them to the world ai'e sunk in Hell's blacl 
maw. 



A HIGHER Ti-IOUGi-IT STORY 35 

145. 

"How long, (,) Lord! ilow long, () Lord." As colored pn-acliprs 

say, 
'Till sense and knowledge disannuls the past. 
Many threadbare ideas would fall into decay, 
If it were not near so ]U'ofitaljl(' to make the old things last. 
We ijay in wars and Mood and tears for holding on so fast. 
God speed the day when bad will pay less profit than the good; 
The earth will then be used by men for one grand brotherhood. 

An older e()Uiile who were past the limit 

()t contact with the bail to stultify, 

Took Charlott with them to the Hockies summit, 

On their vacatit)n, some time in duly. 

The man had been a sportsman and a iiimrod from a lnjy. 

Charlott loved the mountains, so grand and free and high. 

And wi'ote down to her .Mothei' from somewhere near the sky. 

147. 

"I love these mountains for theii" very roughness. 

These regal peaks, bewreathed in silken mist. 

That stand austere in silent ])oised aloofness. 

As if created solely to resist. 

They seem to say, 'AVe always did exist, 

And stand innnune from time and chance and change; 

Above the clouds' out shining crests, sun kissed. 

Proclaims us Alonarchs ot this mountain I'ange. " 

148. 

"Aspiring, fauglikc, in the azure ocean, 
Fixed as polaris is, and cold as fate. 
The elemental forces of erosion. 
Through endless time cannot disintegi-ate. 
Dissolve, disfigui'e or amalgamate, 
Their glassv texture. While in the ascent. 
The gnarled gorges writhe precipitate. 
As if by Titan hands (lisrui)t and i-ent." 

14!l. 

"Among these crags, at any time of year, 
'•'he wiiKls blow harsh; peiiietual snows lie deep. 
No ''reatiires of the wild iidiahit h(n-e. 
Except the ibex and the mountain sheep. 



36 C H c^ R LOT r 



Thps(> aerial o-razers will securely sleej) 
On |)reci])ices sheer, abrupt and rude; 
Defensive instinct urges them to kee]) 
From foes who fear this shcl villi;- altitude." 

1 .')(). 

"Afar beneath, in endless vast ex|)aiise, 
Beyond the limit of the eye to see, 
The lesser niountains sleep in nature's trance, 
And breathe the calm of all eternity. 
In whose confines for brute supr(>iiiacy. 
The forest males engafie in bitter wars; 
The pine and spruce in sohMiiii majesty, 
Sigh out their sorrows to the listening stars." 

l.ll. 

"The crystal springs, like molten pearls released. 
Sing in the pebbly shadows' mottled blends; 
The wild things of the wood enjoy the feast 
Of nature's bounty spread in vales and glens. 
1 count these creatures as my veiy friends, 
And feel the deer much lesser is a brute 
Than other species, and there's something sends 
A pang clear through me as I go to shoot." 



r])on the grandeur of this seeming allness, 
1 look with awe-insi)ired, new-o])ened eyes; 
My jmiiy Ihgness and colossal smallness, 
This greatness by contrast doth emphasize. 
Description faints, imagination flies 
Back to creation, or the start of time. 
The sacred feelings which within arise, 
Are voiced in this one syllable, "Sublime." 

15:1 

"Removed from towns, from centers of congestion. 
From negative and aggregated thought. 
My higher nature cries for self-expression. 
And petty things of life ai'e all forgot. 
My soul outreached for it knows not what, 
Exploring mystic realms least understood ; 
Whoever feels this glorious thrill will not 
(/all soul-expanding silence, "vSolitude." 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 37 

154. 

J Ik' Jioeky AJimntaiii ])i.)s|)cetiirs I'cccix'cil tlic iiiu'culy 

stranger 
With kindly wclooiiic, as a friend to ]»■; 
Their grizzly rongli exterior brought no tear of danger; 
Their faces beanie<l eh'andi^'ing's chivah-y. 
Ilerenlean giants, \vith maiden modesty, 
Wonhi blush to touch licr vestment's fartlicst hem, 
Her beauty woke no carnal thoughts in them." 

155. 

These i-ngg<'d iiicii, witli arms like t\vist<'il I'lipc, 
I'^rom delving deep, to Hnd gold's hidden tom!», 
Whose grandest dream arid all im))elling hotc-. 
Was just to li(di) the dear o:d folks a( lioiiic — 
To stri\'e and wait for fortune's pi-ize to come, 
And maybe after years, retui-n and tiud 
'I'iie swcethcai-t dead, tile girl they Ictl lichind. 

1 .")<;. 
She shar(Ml tlii'ir Dicagrc l)au(|uc( rcgulai-ly, 
And i)i'aised with truth, llic \cnisou and beans; 
'idu'ii- starved heai'ts ached toi' wonum's coiii])an>' — 
Not the purchased "Transitory (|ueens," 
But for a "liome," and all that giaud wmd means. 
They ludd loug talk-feasts in their mouutaiu court. 
And wei'e good ti'ieiids, their minds were en-rapport. 

I.IT. 
Those human mountain oaks with gnarle(l trunk, 
l^rought men-friendship she had not known before. 
She had been safer in their cabin's bunk, 
While they sle]it on i)ine lumghs on the earth-floor, 
Than in the city's law-enmeshed immure. 
The "City tainted men," she knew connects 
ri'm::le 1'.-iend^i'i ji. alway.:, with the sex. 

1 oS. 

She said before depai'ting, in tones of candied pity: 

"1 hate to leave yon, you have been so kind. 

rf ever in the future, you should come to (Uir cit>', 

Befoi'e, <n" aftei- you have made the find. 

With which some day your pockets will be line(l, 

Visit us, my Father will know you. 

"I'll tell him how \'ou tinnk', and all ytn\ do." 



lis C H B R LO T T 



159. 

Onp of thorn replied : " Wp'vo boon imifli happier sinoo you've 

come, 
And we all feel had to see you .i;d awax'; 

Yoii've made us think about the girls we used to know at lioiiie, 
And wonder if they thinli of us to(Uiy. 
We are only young men yet, and hope that it we sta>- 
Another year, we'll strike it rich and go l)ack like a man. 
"rirood-bye, good luck! Re sure and coine next suninier, if you 

"can!" 

KiO. 

De])ar1ure was delayed a day; they missed the stage liy chanc-;'. 
And sjieut the night at village tar remote. 
C'harlott did attend that eve an old-time country dance, 
Where men at most wore overalls, discaidiui;- vest and coat. 
Starched and ruffh'd gingham girls swayed to the organ's 

chi)ne, 
< )ur tourists Joined the rural tun and liail a glorious time. 

Kit. 

lieturning home, slie met the same oM pangs; 
The settled insolence of the partly good. 
The crowded-hmeliness, tore with fiercer fangs 
Than hungered tigers, trained to human blood. 
Even uu(li\idi.'ed, scarred hearts ami the halfdewd, 
[lyenadik'e, would sliriid< trom her attaint — 
The sinners, in this instance, shunned the saint. 

162. 

To lie ignoi'ed is worse than to be jailed — 
A I)low is not so ))ainful as a slight. 
Direct assault inviteth the assailed 
To mak'e excuse, surrendei' oi' to tight. 
A still an.ithema is a withei ing lilight. 
And all who guiltless nnist endure the curse 
Deser\e the pity of the universe. 

lb:!. 

The i)ersonality arri\"es hefoi'e 

Anatomy or ju'esence comes to sight; 

The delvers in the esoteric lore, 

AVould sense her astral color, tinted white — 

The tincture tells the emotion always right. 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 39 

'J\) act for love's .sake, scorniiiy tlu' reward, 
The reimbursement shows to eyes iiii))arre(l. 

1(14. 

None are so .sure as those who ai'e mistaki'ii; 
The entrenched in error are most luird to rout. 
False ideals, a tlumsand times liave shaken 
The peace of eai'th, e'ei' tliey were weeded out. 
Whence springs pernicious eu\y, hate and doubt, 
Except from raould(U's ot the jjuhlic thoun'ht.' 
"Who i^'lut their ,nreed l)y 1)atth>s l)eini;' fou,i;-ht. 
And i^row in ])resti;i'e, ^vllile I lie eoi-))ses rot. 

• 1 (jf). 

Established ignorance hix^'s to ])ersecute 
Discoverers of a trutli Avhicii dotli not i)lease, 
.Vnd strives by deatli or toi'tni'e to relute 
The g'lorious u])lift of the man who sees — 
"Columbus, dirist, (ialileo, Soci-ates," 
And all the benefactors of nuinkind, 
Thi'ough aU tlie ages since the woriil began, 
AVlio bring tlie light unto the darkened mind. 
Receive from those they wcmld set free, a ban : 
.\nd still the ti-nth lives, thougii they curse the man. 

l(i(i. 

< )ne e\'ening, at the close of .\ugust's heai't, 

< )n taking her accustoine(l evening walk, 
Charlott stoi)iied some mimites on a street 
To hear a spouting agilator talk. 

His words flowei! like gas engines "east-en-liloc." 
Out of kind regard for those who hate him. 
1 (|Uote his gentle siteech below, \'erl)atim. 



SPEECH. 

167. 

"You fellows who lia\'<' ne\-er felt 

The painful ])inch of jienury; 

Who all your useless lives have dealt 

In millions, with impunity; 

You men who never yet have smelt 

The sweat of vour industry; 



Ki C H el R LO T T 



VVith stored up fat, whicli yon slmuld ludt 

111 honest toil's capacity, 

Yon who are big around tlie belt. 

An<l large in self-sufficiency; 

Imagine I am "Roosevelt," 

And listen just for once to me." 

KiS. 
"My psendti friends, it \vill imt l;il<i' nn' hing; 
1 will not curse or swear, or ciitieise. 
1 do not censure, if yon do, do wrung, 
l'\)r yon nnist play the game tu win tin' in-izc; 
Behind a golden citadel, the throng 
Of money-grabbers never hear the cries 
Of helpless victims, or the dying song 
Of them whose only hope is in the skies; 
But when in life's great ])riz<'riiig, wisdom's gong 
Shall end the fight, you then will realize 
That you were neithci' great nor good iioi- stnnig, 
P>nt that the otiicr fellows were not wise." 

Kli). 
The spealier lun^ing thus annonnced his tlieme. 
Proceeded to materialize Ins di-eam, 
In words of pressure, lik'e escaping steam. 

170. 
"If some great Projjliet seer from alar 
Slnmld come to teach us wliat the sad world needs, 
.\nd tell ns why, in language bald and b;ire. 
One nation fattens, while another bleeds; 
What heinous causes sows the devilish seeds, 
( )f wars, and crimes, and o])nlence, ami s(|nalor. 
Would he not say, "Y<m fools, it all pi-oceeds 
From "Idol Worshi])," an<l the " I'.seless Dollar." 

171. 
"I-'or these two monsters, i-nlei's of the earth, 
h'ide o'ei- the people's sacred rights rough-shod; 
And teach their subjects, even from their birth. 
To slave and die for their colos.sal fraud. 
These cursed deities must lie outlawed, 

Which men have worslii))i»e(l, down through all the yenrs; 
'Phe "Intangible," and the "Yellow (rlittei-ing (4od," 
AVhicli fills the world with horroi-, blocid .-iiid te;n-s. " 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 41 

172. 
•'How nuiiiy thousand souls, do you supjjose, 
By courtesy of "U. S.," have gone beyond? 
Can tainted profits pay for all the woes 
The sale of shells is causing cross the pond? 
Is greed for gain, inoi-c saci-cd than the Ixind 
Of human fellowslii]) and brotherho()<l '! 
<^an civilized ("liristian nations, lie so tond 
()f filthy hu-i'c, soakod in human hlood :' 

i7;j. 

" Why save tlic starvers in the wake of war, 

And be a ijrotit-mongering syiii])athiz('r .' 

A 'grave within a trench is bettei- far, 

Than live a jtawnfoi' "Banker," "Kiny," oi- "I\ais<'r." 

Some day mankind is going to grow wiser. 

And kneel )iot to a heai'tless. inbred snob — 

The toiler shall become the super\'isor. 

And roll the robbei' of Ins right to rob. 

174. 
"W'lial mockery, then, to piay i'or wars to cease 
While our ])rosperity rests on P]urope's fall. 
'v\'e are not followers of the "Prince of Peace," 
But human vultures and barbarians, all; 
The i)riee the world is paying is not small — 
Alust still the human problem go unsolved? 
When will the soul's awakening break the thrall? 
And then, through knowledge, justice l)e e\'oh-ed. 

175. 
'■()ui wealthy nation, rich in o\'ei- plus, 
With ten times nnnv than all can use or need. 
And still the ])oor we have always with us, 
-Vs sacrifices to the (lod of greed. 
AVill you admit this point? W'ill you concede? 
Do grudging alms amelicu'ate the result ? 
No! Charity is a kalsomined insult; 
It feeds the month and kills the independence; 
And salves the consciences of grafts' defendants. 
Deny the idea's putrid might, mankind is in ascendance; 
Give us justice, trutli and right, in tlnnr supreme resplendence. 

176. 
"WMth charitv for none, with malice toward all; 



42 Ci-ISRLOTT 



C'oiieii])iseil)l(' instincts, swollen and l)k>ate(l; 
With egotism large and with synijiathy small, 
With firmness in the wrong, securely moated; 
"Abe's" grand, immoi'tal words must Ix' mis(|uot('d— 
Their opjjosite meaning more precisely would 
Define our shametul, modern attitude. 

177. 
'I would not lead you in the liroiiiised land — ' 
Through your own min<l, you must e\i)l(>re the route 
For if I did, wliile ycm don't iTuderstand, 
Some othei' man wmdd surely lead you oiTt. 
Yourseh'es alone can scale life's last I'edonlit, 
By using that gray matter in your head; 
Which now is shrinking from disuse, instead." 

178. 
"Clear your mind of being nmddy. 
By applied reason, thought and study — 
Ijeariiing comes to him wiio truly strix'es. 
Then you need not kneel in pleading 
To the drone bees who are feeding 
On honey pilfered from the workers' lii\'es; 
But, in thunder tones ))roceeding 
From your knowledge, gained by reading, 
Denumil youT' bii'thright's Ireedom from the gy\-es. 
It behocn'es you to be heeding 
The vampii'es who ai'c bleeding 
The toilers and their childi-en and their wixcs. 
j\Iore intellectual bi-eeding 
Is all the race is needing; 
Misery reigns where ignorance .-nr\ i\-es. 
Then, with bold hearts nnreceding, 
And with love and knowledge leadinu, 
Jjct us solve the problem of our daily li\'es." 

17!>. 
"For listening to my sju'ecli so lait and <lrastic. 
My gentle friends, you have my giatitnde; 
You all are used to lingo soft and plastic — 
Sweet ambiguities steeped in ])latitude — 
Such speakers give me ennui and lassitude. 
r thank you all, "(locxh night, good-l.)y(% be good." 
Then Charlott overheard, "It sounds like who?" 
'Gene Debs or Wen(h']l Fhilips, Xmnber Two." 



A filGHER Ti-IOUGHT STORY 43 

ISO. 

P''rom slights of old ac(iiuuiitance, far and near, 
Cliarlott, as you know, was not exempt; 
She strove to clarify the atninsplierc, 
p]xchangini;- pity's coin h»r cold ciniteiupt. 
She did not mingle, nor did she att<'in])t. 
Books and music circnmsciihed licr earth; 
And ministering to others sjjiritual derth. 

181. 

She went on rcguhir \'isits to tlic shims — 

Our larger cities' social indigestion; 

" 'Twero bett(n' to converse with wrecks and bums 

Than suffer loneliness among congestion." 

The derelicts of fortune did not (luestiou 

llei- moral status; and received witli thanks 

Whatever kindness came within theii- ranks. 

1S2. 

She told llel' .Mdtiu'r (if llie sidilliergecl tenth; 

Their needless, yet their sad and losing tight; 

Of how their optimism, like absinthe, 

ijcthargied theii- horror of tiieir ))light. 

"I tell you Motlier, dear, it is a sight; 

Tlu'ir cliildren look like ini|)s, or ghostly elves, 

And 1 am trying to ludp tliem, help themseh'es." 

]8:',. 

"The one thing 1 would tlo il' I had wealtii. 
Would be to teach the filthy to he clean. 
When I expound to them the rules of health. 
They look amazed, and know not what I mean. 
Those beings "stink" tVirm ))ei-sonal gangrene. 
With air and water fi'ee, and all about, 
'I'o keep them clean and well, inside and out." 

184. 

"I try to teach them of llie rliytliiiiic l)reat]i, 
( )f water's, and parana's holy mission; 
And why control of sex force Avards off death, 
And makes them bold to face their sad condition; 
Their wills are all congealed by fear's cohesion; 
With wars, and crimes, and slums, I do extol 
The recent pro])ogau(la of bii'th control." 



44 CHiJRLOTT 



185. 

'JMie kingdom of the fish, the binl ami beast, 
By culture has been brought to near yjerfectiou; 
Whih' human imbecility has increased 
'J'hru ignorance of self and wrong selection. 
The next step forward is in that direction. 
Where is the reason, sense or benefit, 
Derived from breeding weaklings and unlit. 

US(i. 

"Yet I am sure some force will lift tlicui up; 
Economic-determinism or meutal-s]jiritual ; 
I know race evolution will not stop, 
And shall at length exalt the individual, 
By disanmdling the dark ages' ritual; 
And I am going to teach, where e'er I can, 
The inner power of the su]u'r-iiian." 



THE INNER POWER. 

1S7. 

"Draw direct from the Mother source. 
And demand your right to be tree; 
And attain through the all-pcrN-ading foi-cc. 
To whatever you wisli to be." 

188. 

Assert the "I" of the universe. 
The dynamic, spiritual "I," 
Affirmed intensely, it doth dis])erse 
The clouds on the mental sky. 

189. 

"l-Jely on the might of Truth, nf lieiun-. 
Deny th.e evil, the false, unti'ue, 
Stand in the light, serene, all seeing — 
A center- of |)ower, fore\'er new." 

190. 

All is mind in the cosmic realm, 

The relative, tho't-force manifest; 

With love as incentive and faith at the hehii, 

The luiiverse answers at youi' i'e(iuest." 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 45 

191. 

"TiOving and learning and hmghing will 
Expand you and make you grow; 
Wlu-n in need of assistance. Re Still! I>e Still! 
And tlie silence will let vim know." 



1 !!•_>. 

The rutt'ians on the sti-eet would ])oint her out, 
And flirty men would wink and almost speak; 
Her withering glance put one of these to route; 
The other at ])roxiniitv, did sneak. 
The air with cold aloofness, seemed to reek; 
Except the slums, her i)i'esence did encroach. 
The world seemed iailing back at her ai>))roacli. 

1 JC!. 

'Twas sad to see her sitting there alone, 
With Will and Ann at ])leasureable events, 
Plajang the i-ole of seeming to atone, 
With her vast store of truth and innocence. 
She could have gone and froze their insolence: 
But Mother must be saved at any cost; 
She had sinned and won ;;nd Cliarlott lost. 

n)4. 

The shielding influence of proiiim|Tiity, 

A Mother of the blood would have supi)lied; 

To screen the focused scorn's intensity — 

Even that mitigation was denied. 

She was to none related, joined, allied. 

But like a rock, by angry billows surged, 

O'erwhelmed and lashed, but still was not sul)merge(l 

1 !!."). 

Vov live long yeai's the social cancellation 

Had been imposed, since tliev had come fi'om Fi'ance; 

No girlhood friends, no calls, no invitations; 

No social function, nor a public dance; 

No beans, but libertines, had made advance. 

At times its tension strained her strongest strength; 

When something called, and she resolved at length. 



4(5 CHBKLOTT 



196. 

Charlott loved the dear old grand piano, 

And sang sweet songs to its acc()ni])animent; 

At times, in plaintive tones, her liigh soprano 

Seemed bursting with emotions, strongly pent. 

Music speaks tlie feeling through the language of accent, 

And only natures, keyed to higher pitch. 

Can understand its meaning, pure and rich. 

197. 

The folks were gone one evening, to a ])arty — 

Across the finger board her head did lean; 

She could have eased her heait hy weeping " licarty," 

But just one tear fell on the ke_\s unseen — 

"Old friend, you are the only one who sees; 

You understand me and know what 1 mcaii; 

You always sympathize, and stand between 

Me and the frigid world, and bring nie ease. 

Your silver notes, in accents kind and keen, 

Voice all my feelings in vdur melodies." 

198. 

"Away my weakness; when 1 am alnne 

There is a song 1 dearly love to sing; 

Its words transnuite my yearnings into tone. 

And buoys my burden (ui untiring wing. 

It speaks of that impulse in everything — 

Instilled therein, before the earth's first morn — 

The clamor of the "Ego-soul" unborn. 



SONG. 

199. 

My licai't is lieating lor >du, di-ai ; 
1 know that you ai-e always n<'ar; 
I love yoii, love you, do you hear? 
\\'hy do you Iveej) me waiting here? 

200. 

1 know not, lox'ci', who yon are. 
And yet, 1 know you, too, it seems; 
You cannot be so tar, so tar, 
Because T met von in iii\ dreams. 



A HIGHER THOUGtiT STORY 47 

I'd! . 

I will know you when we meet, 
And you will know nie, too, I'm sure; 
Our soul's been in connnunion sweet, 
So many, many times liefort^ 

202. 

1 hear >im in the silenee dense. 
And <[() vdu, lo\-er, hear my song? 
My l(»\'e is growiui^' more intense 
By waiting, waiting here so long. 



My heart is aciiing, can it be 
My fault that we are still apart? 
\\'ill you, will you come to me, 
( )r must 1 go to you, sweetheart ? 

2(14. 

W'lici'c are you now .' ( )h I tell nir where 
I cannot longer linger iieiv; 
1 know you love me so sincere, 
1 am coming, coming to you dear. 



20."). 

< )ne night at home, the silence seethed with feelings sweetly 

blent. 
Which throbbed to be exjjresseil, in tears or tone: 
Will said at length, "Lean back on me when obstacles present 
Their seeming force to bai- your rise, out in the world alone; 
I '11 stand between you and the im])s who wished to "throw the 

stone ; ' ' 
But use your fall to build a stronger bulwark of your own. 
I'll take care of Jackie; consider he's my boy." 
C'harlott's tears were streaming now, surcharged with ])urest 

joy; 
They were the first that ever flowed, the rest had all been hid; 
But when the tears in his eves showed, then she was glad they 

did. 

206. 

The young girl soon departed for a great conser\atory. 
To take an advanced music coui-se and studv liiiiiier art: 



48 C n c^ R LP T T 

She had many siiitors then- and mnsiiy oratory. 

Of simpering swains who swore she stole their lieait. 

Little try-out love affairs, nothing of import; 

Studying, aspiring, climbing u]) to tame, 

'Phe imblie liad already begun to hear her name. 

■207. 

Finally, she met a man — could he he her affinity:' 

He was the first to stir the sleeping chord witlnn her breast: 

He seemed to her an idol, a colossus, a divinity — 

Oh, could she cancel that unsavory past:' 

At his close gaze, she stood as rooted fast 

Tn fear, that he with supernatural eye 

Was spying out the truth, which was n lie 

•2(KS. 

Their conrtshiji was the bli^s that cunic^ to siin;' and natural 

lives, 
Love fused their hearts at passion's welding forge; 
Within the realm of mutual lox'e, how soon thi' time arri\-es 
When matrimony looms, l)oth high and large. 
There was one caustic duty Charlott nmst discliaig< — 
She used it as a means, she deemed, wtndd serve her inu-pose 

best, 
To test her lover's truth — would lie jiroxc e(|iial to the test:' 

2(U). 

Tf he should waver at the crucial ]ioint 

And meet her true lie with unjust i-<'butL 

Then she nuist lose him, though hei- In-art disjoint. 

And all her strength reijuired to be enough: 

Piut he was made of stronger, tensile stutf. 

.Much courage was required to make the test — 

It won, and i»aid by seasoning love with zest. 

1210. 

She told him, then, al)out her ])ast; nnt the real truth — the lie — 
The blot of that removeless stain which darkened all her life. 
And asked him, if his love would stand against undying infamy, 
i )r if, in justice to liimself, could he make her his wife ? 
Iler interdiction, frank an<l fearless, stabbed him like a knife- — 
lie nun* be termecc "a simitle fool," or else, "a super lover." 
[•'or he replied, "Sweetheart, lets calmly talk the matter ovei-." 



.4 HIGHER THOUGHT STORY Hi 

•ill. 
t )utwardly, he strove to hide the vipered sentence smart, 
And then began, by saying, "Dear, we may as well be sensible — 
Onr lives would each be purposeless, here on earth apart; 
And I feel that you are wiser, more strong and more invincible, 
By going throiigh the acid test of life's refining crucible. 
We'll live forever in tlie now, the all-absorbing jaresent; 
Forget the past, by hohling fast its lessons most unpleasant." 

212. 

When she iiifdniiiMl him, weeping, th;it the story wiis not so. 

The man was jmt Itcside himself with joy. 

He gloried in the tact that she was ])uie as driven snow; 

And she, that lie contained no base alloy. 

They soon were mariied; two girls and a l)oy 

Have blessed their home, and to this hour, she 

Has told the secret ti> none else Ind he. 

21:?. 
Annie's life with Will fhiwed daily (Hi, 
in passive kindliness and harmony. 
Her love for Jack was transferred t(i lier -on. 
Augmented by his illegitamacy — 
A curious fact in nature's alchemy. 
Her inward vultures tore with beak and claw. 
When Will would speak about the boy's "Papa." 

214. 
His daily goodness had aroused in her 
An admiration born of true respect; 
The antipodes of bis true character, 
Kedoomed Jack's weakness with enchanced reflect. 
Her love for him had not been killed, but wrecked; 
And as Will grew more high in her regard, 
Her sin's concealment's pressiu-<' grew more hanl. 

215. 
Ten years now, since (Tiarlott left full of silence cranuned — 
Annie bared her shivering soul to \\'ill; 
He looked as her, embarrassed, stunned, and said "Well I'll 

be dammed, 
You certainly take the prize for keeping still. 
It surely cured your illness, and I'm glad you had your fill; 
I don't know which to call it, a blessing or a crime, 
But had I known, I might have raised the Devil at the time. 



50 CHBf^LOTT 



•216. 
"1 am relieved to learn you are tlie 2>ai-ent; 
T have in secret scanned the son 's address, 
Discovering many traits inl)orn, inherent, 
Resembling characteristics yuu possess. 
To tell the truth, I have surmised no less; 
Tt seemed absurd, the semblance is so true. 
That Charlott marked him thru her love tor you. 

217. 
"I could not hi'ing myself to deem it so, 
As she and yon jiossess no ties of lilooil; 
Your temperaments opposed, as flame and snow — 
Your forms and posture bear no likelihood; 
Each the others antipode, in lineament and attitude. 
Your face would flame with conscious tire, when conversation 

did allude 
Unto voiing Jackie's mooted sire — you might luive known 1 

un<lerstood. 

21 S. 
"1 liave not found in Charlott "s letters where 
She spoke of Jackie as a mother would; 
While you have shown the <leei)er love and care. 
That is instilled alone thru motherhood. 
This coupled with the great similitude, 
1 here have stated, twixt the boy and you, 
Confirmed and proved the inference I di-ew. 

21!). 
" How did you have the heart to i)lace upon hei' 
The weight of such an everlasting curse — 
When we had pledged upon our sacred honor 
To shield and shelter her in the reverse. 
Your sin was bad, the excuse was t( n times worse; 
i cannot understand how you could do it — 
You should lun-e known that yon woidd live to rue it. 

220. 
"Let us forget an-d speak of it no moi'e — 
It is too late to cancel oi- redress; 
Had you unburdened thus your heart l)efore, 
It would liave made your secret sorrow less — - 
Your conscience stabs hath killed your lia](i)iness. 
'Tis ever so — the being but descends, 
\Yho seeks to gain bv base or selfish ends. 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 51 

1^21. 
"The first thing 1 iimst do is wi'itc a letter. 
Fetch me pen and jjajx-r, will you, Ann? 
Yonr late confession makes me feel mucii better — 
T know you loved me not, and never can. 
Our trials have proved we did opijose life's ]ilan; 
But still we may some consolation draw 
Since Charlott has exemplified the law." 



THE LETTER. 



"1 bow in rt'N'erence, dear; why did not yon, 
Years ago ex])lain the situation ? 
You need have had no feai- what 1 would do — 
.Myself had been the last considin'ation. 
I\Jy highest aim has Iteen to raise you to 
WomanlK)od's most high and holy station, 
And you have reached it by the right equation. 
T feel through knowing all you've sacrificed, 
'^riiei'e mav be in our midst unknown, a Christ." 



223. 

ller x'iolet eyes with teai-s (if joy englassed, 

.\nd countenance of one suijremely blest, 

She ]jenne(l these lines: "^ly Fatln'r, dear, at last 

You know the secret of my love's dear test; 

You were the one who ])lanted in my breast 

"J'lie truth that sacrifice for love I'epays, 

And, therefore, you desei-\-e the greater praise. 

224. 

"I feel your lieljiful inlluencc e\'ei'y hour 
Come vibrant to me, 'cross the miles between. 
From early youth, its foi-ce has lent me pow(>r 
To stand alone, and live in faith serene. 
.Vt my departure, when you bid me lean . 
On you in troubled hours, I would have been 
A thousand times o'erjoyed, amidst our tears. 
Could I have only whispered in your ears: 
I'm guiltless, guiltless; you need have no fears. 



52 CHc^RLOTT 



225. 

"No limits circumscribe a kindly feeling — 
Time and silence mean not lack of tho't; 
Memory 'cross the void is always stealing 
'i'o those we love, although they know it not; 
We feel at times as if we were forgot 
By loved ones, which the distance is concealing. 
It is not so — maturer years hath wrought 
Enchanced perspective of oui- love's revealing. 

•1-26. 

"We may be near and still he far rciiuivcil, 
If harmt)ny of soul doth not exist. 
Pro])in(iuity's oblivion oft hath jjroved 
That absent neardjhiods sometimes are not missed. 
Bui memories of your kindness does resist 
Corrosive time, and kee])s my love iiigi-onvcd. 
You never failed to cham])ion or enlist 
To aid the sinful, helpless or unlnNcd." 



"You did not even condeiiiu my si'cming sin; 

And when ydur faith was stabbed, you did not censure 

But on the wi'eck of what should have been, 

Would have rebuilt a scathless, moral structure; 

By deep infusions of the pure admixture 

Of courage, hoj^e and strengtli to rise again, 

.\nd now you know 'twas not bestowed in \aiii." 

228. 

"Add your in)jj(; force to an old desiic, 
Grow inward jiotent, in my mind of late; 
That some ausincious circumstance transjjire, 
To have us mingle at no distant date — 
I see its consunnnation as I wait 
Desire and Hope are Happen-So 's true sire; 
Attraction's law thru love doth opei'ate. 
And will materialize for the ajjplii'r." 

229. 

"T keep your letter in a silver locket — 
A prize which this world's lucre cannot bring. 
Its coming loomed my spirit likt' a rocket. 
And made m\- soul within iii\- mati'ix sinu' 



A HIGHliR THOUGHT STORY 



ari 



Inspired continuance of administering' 
To spiritual and pliysical destitution, 
Of all below me in life's evolution." 

■ll'A). 
I lia\'(.' ('S})ous(_'(l the woman's sulfrage cause 
To disannul the sex inferiority 
lm])osed by biblical and tribal laws, 
And sliamclcssly ui)liel(l by the majority-. 
I stand on moral ri^'ht as my authoi-ity, 
^Av\ voice liy ultimatum to the males, 
Which follows here condensed, shoi-u of details." 



HER ULTIMATUM. 

''Woman's purer inllueuce spurs man to cleaner action — 
Where men alone rule anything, it grows to imtref action. 
Oigantic steals and crooked deals and moral laws infraction, 
And snooping graft be more than halted bj^ intuitive exaction; 
Political trades of many grades be reduced to a fraction; 
.Vnd many gi-eat old ill's of state be minus by snbstraction, 
It she would mix in ])olitics and be a jiotent faction, 
Ai]t\ rise she must I rum out the dust of ancient precept's 

traction, 
Mer place as mother of the race, the nation's superstruction, 
In justice might demands her right, to vote at the election. 
You should rejoice to give her voice, in every law's enaction; 
Her entrance to the field they view with nmch dissatisfaction — 
The public thieves and iuak'(^die]ie\-es and moss-backs of reac- 
tion." 

232. 
The ' Dear old h'olks" have pros]H'reil and are comfortable now, 
".lack'ie" is a ])retty fai]' sized lad; 

Annie was more grieve<l because Will did not raise a row, 
Than if the news had drove him raving mad; 
It smote hei' that he did not scoi'u to be a "]:)roxy dad," 
And she had heard it whisjH'red oft tliat Charlott had "gone 

bad;" 
She seemed to fail fi'om that day on and notliing inade her glad. 

233. 
Some months later, Charlott sat in silent reverie — 
The childi'en each had said their evening ])rayer. 



54 Cfi^RLOTT 



She seemed to hear her Mother's voice cry, "C'harlott come to 

me ; ' ' 
I need your benediction now, I'm dyin^- in despair; 
It makes the burden of my sins thrice harder now to bear. 
By having transferred them to you, thru cowdardice and fear; 
() Come! And say you pardon me, before it is too late, 
And 1 can then die ha])]iier, but I have not hMig to wait." 

■2:u. 

The doorbell rang. Unconsciously, she shouted, unavrnri', 

"Is that you Father?" "No; I'm dreaming still." 

The words had scarcely died before the door flew (ijicn there, 

And 'cross the threshold eagerly strndc Will. 

He grasped her in his strong anus' \nh\, "Why, Charhitt, an^ 

you ill? 
You look so startled, weird ami pale, withal so eaitn and !)l;niil; 
Vou knew that I was coming? Ah, yes; nnw, 1 nii(l<'i's(:!ud." 

"Dadd\', dear, T knew it; but I thought tli.it I was dreaiiiing — 

So many tilings within my mind were spread. 

( )h ! Was the message really truth, or was it only seeming; 

Is she dying, tell me; Is she dead ?" 

The father stood with reverent mien, and thereat Luiwed his 

head ; 
She's sinking, Charlott, sinking; an<l she calls and calls you so; 
I'hat 1 ha\'e come to take you, if you will conseut to go." 

■2:u\. 

"(to! 1 shall go instantly; my husband is up-stairs; 

The chihlren several luuu s liaxc now been sleeping — 

Come with me and meet them; they will knov, yon in their 

prayers. 
They learned the name of "(irand-I'a" in the (la>s wIkmi they 

were creeping. 
^ will awake my Imsband and will leave them in his keeping. 
We must hasten; you may \'isit, while 1 ])ack my gri)) and dress: 
()!',! Had T k'uown before, I could ha\'e made her suffering less." 

Witiiin an lioui the taxicab had borne them to the station: 
The father sensed the vibrant thrill of Charlott 's deeji affection. 
He felt her dynamic force for good, her s])ii-itnal exaltation, 
Which rushe<l to aid the one wiio scarred her v(Uith with 



A HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 55 

shame ' s infection. 
The nameless sin slie had assnmed relioiinded by reflection — 
Redoubling thence tlie conscience smite, which Annie felt 

before — 

To shun responsibilities, doth make our troubles more. 

Ascc^nding now the "()ld Ilmiie Steps" in tense and Inuried 

fashion, 
They reached the cot where wasted Annie lay — 
The misdirected ruins of a h)ve inflamed to i)assion, 
Upon whose altar her poor heart was burnt and purged away — 
Her tired soul, imjjatient to ascend from out the clay, 
The husband and the daughter gazed in silence each at othei-. 
Then h'aning o'er the shininicen form, slie gently whispered, 

":\Iother." 

2;!9. 

^\nnie raised her sunken eyes, and hdioring hai'd U>y breath. 

In piteous, ]jensive tones breath(>d lUiarlott's name. 

"The wicked wrongs I heaped r,u you have liastened on my 

death, 
lUit I did not ha\'e the courage, deai', to die until yon came; 
Say yoi; love me, and forgive me." "Motiier, you ;n'e not to 

blame; 
^'ou lacked the tutelage to build your chaste lo\'e's structure 

strong; 
And still 1 kniiw that \ini were right, the world is always 

wrong. 

240. 

"My Mother, dear, yon always did the thing yon deemed was 

right ; 
You followed love's supreme demand and scorned formality. 
You only broke the false concept which universe laws indict, 
.\nd does transform the truths of life into an unreality — 
To i^ropogate thru trust in love is not base immorality. 
We know that inborn love has neither ending nor beginning, 
The fault is not your own — you were "more sinned against 
than sinning." 

241. 

"I have nothing to forgi\'e you; and I ln\-e you, lo\ e y(ni dearly. 
And I suffered not fi'om all T did assum(>. 



1,6 C fl 8 R L T T 



It steeled my will with valor — my eyes have seen more clearly, 
Ami thru it, my latent powers have come to bloom. 
And Mother, I assure you, tliere is solace in the tomb, 
And suffering- souls in bliss shall rise in future evolution — 
You will be blest with peace, and rest, and need no absolution." 

242. 

The beams of intense feeling fairly giislicd from L'harlott's 

eyes. 
In showering spray, upon the form bent'ath. 
Whose face now bore the sweet impress of one in "Paradise;" 
There, with a smile, the Mother ceased tn breathe; 
The daughter sighed half audible, "How beautiful is death." 
"The cycle run. It is the law. What ever is, is best; 
The weai'ied scml in bondage here, is better laid at i.'sl." 

24;]. 
Charlott waited to attend piMir Annie's obseipiies; 
Tier missi(ni being ended, she was eager to be home. 
And Will assured her, parting, he would surely sell or lease 
All his intcn'ests herabout, and with the boy would come. 
And evermore reside with her, and be her children's cluim. 
Jackie had arrived e'ei- this, at his majority. 
And liy Jack's will and testament, became a li'gat<'e. 

244. 
The will had been contested, but wisely the deceased 
.Vssigned each heir a meagre sum to kill their legal chance. 
( )ne-half of his estate unto young Jaclde was be(|ueathed. 
The other half, to her he loved so d(>ar in sunny France. 
The young man is in college now, determined to advance. 
And use his learning's might to raze old false idea's ca'^tle: 
Throngh Hm' " Aristoci'acy ol Mind" \\"hicli ixinws not King, 
nor \'assal. 

24;"). 

'I'he years luu'e ]_)asseil, Ave see a man whose hair is siK'er grav; 
'file children's champion, guide and IViend — the\- all love "['ii- 

cleWill.." 
He now has passed the ninetieth stone on life's uncertain way: 
His form erect, his step is firm, his eyes doth glisten still — 
One only man who all thru life has ne\ei- once been ill; 
And if you were a stranger and should ask who lie may be. 
They would answer: "(Miarlott's Father," You would know im- 

mediatelv. 



.M tlUjHLR TtlOUOHT STORY 



246. 

Tlic L-ntin' nation had heroine ae(inainte(l with lier name; 
She was loved by all l)ut bigots whose insight is never clear — 
Yet in s^jite of their renewed assaults, achieved a lasting fame, 
Thru healing ills by sul)stituting. Harmony for B^'ear, 
Assailed tor teaching piincijjles to which she did adhere — 
The higher economics and philosoijhy of the mind — 
Was subject to indignities, and even jailed and fined. 

247. 

Her jtrestige has grown niighty now, au<l neutralized tlie iiate; 
And thru lier efforts, multitudes are learning life's true basis. 
That each for all, and all for each, in love co-operate; 
And kill the brute instinct in man, in all its heinous jihases. 
By striving each for others good, the "Self" expands and I'aises 
.\.nd when enough contracted minds are opened to the light, 
Concerted tho't by justice wrought will set the world aright. 



24S. 

1 wrote tliis litth' elegx' of Jack's — 

'i'he suicide Irom moral decompose; 

To carve u|miii his gra\'estone with an ax, 

As lasting icfei'enee loi his friends and foes. 



ELEGY. 

24H. 



"Hei-e lies a man, so infamously rich 
That he became most criminally lazy; 
P'l-om selfishness, or pride, or both, or each. 
J lis back foresight and inward outlook hazy. 

250. 

lA)r inconvenience, gout and sluggish blood. 
Each hour he took a dose, a pill or capsule. 
His stomach served a boycott on the food. 
His heart rebellious and his liver wrathful. 

251. 

His emotion's chemical disaffinity 

fTad poisoned all his ductless glands' secretions; 



58 



C H'3 H L T T 



JIo cduld not Ileal ))y lu'lplcss ])liarniacy, 
Mental maladies and ))syclno lesions. 

252. 

lie feared that a)(o])le\y or a stroke, 

Would lie his sad and necessar>' eliding; 

Mis heirs were always wisliini;- lu' would "eroak" — 

His hollow friends made solid, by his siieiiding. 

258. 

A jjackage of distress he went al)out, 
l^eceiving counterfeited syin|ia1h\ : 
Was deeply envied by the (hiwii and out, 
AVho wished to sniciile the same as he. 

254. 

^riie Doctoi' said, "A phony oiieratiou" 
Would sto]) his bitter ills troiii iirowiug worse; 
'i'iiey knew he was a virtiiii of stagnation, 
.\nd only wished to gently carx-e liis purse. 

255. 

'i'hey did not land the sucker — so to speak — 
He cowered in tear at iiieutiou of a knife; 
His heart was faint, his ner\-es and will were weak. 
From dodging difficulties all his life. 

256. 

The saddest ])art was, others drank the gall, 
When he alone should make the recomiiense; 
Yet tears and grief and soi luw came to all 
AVho breathed iiis fetid, poison iiil'lueucc. 

257. 

He suffered much ; his life of joy was shorn ; 
lie dared, not excu ])er])etuate his name. 
He made the grand mistake of being born, 
.\nd so the family tree must bear the blame. 

258. 

I le died from want of breath and loss of function; 
His life was gauzy, lini|p and ]>ur])oseless; 
The tiling which caused his timely, sweet extinction, 
Was "Oa.slEof Wealth," and "iSieai-ued Surplus." 



>4 HIGHER THOUGHT STORY 



59 



THE END. 




018 A82 IS* 



